Sincerely,

It was a cold, wet day when we decided to hike Eagle Creek Trail. Not rainy, just wet. Although the sun was out and there were really no clouds in the sky, the trail was frigid and muddy. Thick puddles of mud covered many parts of the trail, which, through osmosis, traveled from our boots upward to numb all unexposed parts with a biting chill. Needless to say, it was a beautiful hike that we enjoyed thoroughly. Wonderfully muddy. Splendidly wet and a little slimy. Perfectly Oregon. It was terribly cold, but what kind of Oregonians would we be if we decided not to go due to cold and rain? Not very good ones. That’s what kind.

But let’s back up. A few Saturdays ago Megan and I awoke with an iron urge to go for a hike. It was my third weekend living here, which makes it two Saturdays from now in the past. After a wet week of hard, unrelenting rain, this first morning of the weekend gave birth to a sky of clarity and warmth. It was a day made for a hiking, so that’s what we simply had to do.

Now where to go? Fortunately Megan and I had made a list of hikes near(ish) to Portland of varying lengths. We made this list on our long drive home from Arizona, sometime between northern California and Medford. I remember making the list vividly because Megan was snapping pictures out the window as we drove quickly up I-5 that entire stretch of highway. Window down, cold air streaming in and carrying fine sheets of rain — providing a mini-waterfall effect. It was refreshing. That’s how I remember the list. Look out for our next post, which will include a copy of that list and our Oregon Hiking Guide. We selected Eagle Creek Trail because it was the perfect length for our mood (slightly under 4 miles) and I really wanted to see Punchbowl Falls. I had never been there myself and I have been wanting to go for awhile. I finally had the best hiking partner to bring with me!

If you have never hiked Eagle Creek Trail, here is a perfect description:

"Eagle Creek is the quintessential hike in the Columbia River Gorge, boasting dozens of spectacular waterfalls, tall basalt cliffs, and the lush temperate rain forests that so characterize the Pacific Northwest. It is considered by many to be one of the most resplendent hiking destinations in the Northwest -- no doubt, essential fare for Portland-area outdoor lovers."

“I can’t believe I live here. This place is so beautiful.” I think I repeated these phrases, or something similar, every 10 to 15 minutes of the hike. Yes, and every time, I was there to remind him, “Yes, you live here now.” Every slight turn gave way to something indescribably beautiful. Walking through mini waterfalls, looking down on the creek from over a hundred feet above, seeing salmon sit motionless against the current like living anchors — I was grateful that Megan stopped for so many pictures because I needed that time to experience the awe.I can’t even begin to explain to you how much I appreciate his understanding of when I get the urge to stop and escape the trail a bit. I follow my eye to whatever catches it and sometimes that leads me to unexpected places.

Klaus, on the other hand, begrudgingly sauntered through the hike like an angry mop with legs. This describes him perfectly! He was absolutely soaking wet.He made me carry him towards the end.Sometimes I think Guy prefers to just carry Klaus to be closer to him. They have a ridiculous bond. I think Klaus loves him more than me at this point. I guess the glory of Oregon is too much for some… Anyway, at least he looked adorable.

Gratitude overcame me on the ride home. Grateful for this city and its surrounding paradise, grateful for loving people that made me feel immediately at home, and Megan is the exclamation point to this feeling. Here we go, he’s going to make me cry now.For her I am most thankful, grateful… lovingly indebted.

With muddy, wet clothes and a dog soiling me more thoroughly by sitting on my lap — imagine his condition that low to the ground — I had never felt more content with the world. And then Megan took me to Los Gorditos for some much needed burritos. She truly is always the exclamation.

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